Derry City manager Stephen Kenny looks set to fill the managerial vacancy at Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Premier League, according to reports today.

The news follows about two weeks of speculation surrounding Kenny's future as the Candystripes battle it out at the top of the eircom Premier Division with Shelbourne, who hold a six point advantage over Derry and need just one win to secure the title.

The position at Dunfermline has been vacant since the departure of Jim Leishman on October 25th.

A move would mean a serious change of scenery for Kenny, not only because of the step up in profile and the move abroad, but because the Scottish club is struggling at the foot of the Scottish Premier League with just nine points from 13 games.

The 37-year-old has guided Derry to a second placed finish last year and looks to have done the same this year, with first place slipping away.

Derry have also won the League Cup twice under the former Bohemians and Longford Town boss and will play St Patrick's Athletic in the FAI Cup final early next month.It would appear unlikely Kenny will leave the Brandywell until after that match.

Kenny's record has obviously impressed Dunfermline suits who recently promised fans a "high quality appointment" in the near future.

It was most likely his team's 7-3 aggregate demolition of Scottish side Gretna in the Uefa Cup however, that drew the attention of Dunfermline.

The club was refusing to comment on the reports this afternoon, however, but said that an announcement is expected within a week.